Modi Ki Paathshala: ‘There's A Life Beyond Exams'

Interacting with a number of students, teachers and parents in the second edition of “pariksha pe charcha” at the Talkatora stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged students to explore beyond exams. With less than two months left for Class X and Class XII exams, the PM also requested parents not to force children to “fulfil” their “unfulfilled” dreams. Excerpts from the interaction...

On time management

One thing that is most important for all of us is time management. Time is our own, and we decide what to do with our time and how to get things done. That is totally in your control. We all have the same 24 hours. But those who manage their time well, set themselves apart. You have to prioritise from time to time. Those who master the art of time management, they seem to go through life effortlessly. Time management is most important. If we have 10 things to do, sometimes we need to know which are the six or seven that need priority.

On giving attention to one’s own qualities

When something challenges you, you must pay attention to what qualities of your came forth during that challenge. Those are the ones you need to work on. When it comes to exams, our focus should never be on marks. It should be on acquiring knowledge and understanding the subject. You will score marks if that is taken care of.

On chasing dreams

While aiming big in life is good, don’t get so carried away by it that your dreams remain dreams, and you become too old just thinking about it. We must understand ourselves. We must be true to ourselves, question ourselves frequently to see how we stand periodically as compared to our ambitions and dreams in life. If you see yourself far from it, then you know what to do. You must break your dreams into phases and give it a time frame to achieve. You must cross one milestone at a time. Climb from a smaller peak to a larger one.

On tech addiction

Exposure to technology is not a bad thing for students. It is good that students are getting acquainted with new technology. Technology should lead to expansion of the mind and as a means to innovate.

On whether exams refine us

I sincerely believe that anything that challenges us, polishes us too. If there is nothing to test us, then we become complacent. There must always be something to challenge us

On what keeps him motivated

Society should be aspirational, not negative. If people have expectations from us, it shows that they have some trust in us. We have to make ourselves capable, not get bogged down by expectations. We must take it positively

We work hard, but we all go through some setbacks in life. You work 17 hours a day, how do you keep yourself motivated? What keeps a mother motivated and energised through the day, doing so many things tirelessly? She does it for her family and their well-being. Similarly, I truly consider all my fellow countrymen as my family. That is what keeps me encouraged and motivate

Modi’s tips for parents

Do not expect your children to fulfil your unfulfilled dreams. Every child has his or her own potential and strengths... It is important to understand these positives of every child. I hope parents do not make the report card of their children their own visiting cards...because if that is the aim, then the expectations from children become unreal

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